Plate for Eating While Standing Up

Abstract

A plate intended for use while standing up is configured to allow the main area of the plate to rest on the forearm of a user, while a user's index finder and thumb grip a holder ( 15 ) projecting downwardly from the rim region ( 13 ) of the plate. The height of the holder ( 15 ) is substantially the same as the height of the rim region ( 13 ) of the plate, above the food-holding base area ( 11 ) thereof. The holder ( 15 ) is configured internally to accommodate a drinking vessel ( 20 ) such as a stemmed wine glass, a tumbler, or a can or bottle. The holder ( 15 ) is profiled to facilitate the stacking of a plurality of like plates, with the holders partially nested.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . A plate suitable for use while standing up, which plate comprises a base area defining a first level, a rim region disposed adjacent at least a part of the base area and having an edge disposed at a second level above the first level, and a manually-grippable holder projecting downwardly from the rim region towards the first level, the holder having a side wall which is internally and externally profiled to allow the plate to be stacked in an at least partially nested manner with another like plate, the side wall having cut-out regions to allow accommodation of the lower part of the holder of another like plate on stacking the plates, the holder defining an internal opening for receiving a part of a drinking vessel and there being a slot extending from the edge of the rim region into the holder and communicating with the internal opening thereof. 
   
   
       21 . A plate as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the holder has an in-turned flange having a central opening defining the internal opening of the holder. 
   
   
       22 . A plate as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the flange is disposed at the lower end of the holder and is provided with one or more external protuberances to facilitate the gripping of the holder by a user, said cut-out regions accommodating the protuberances when the plates are stacked with the holders at least partially nested. 
   
   
       23 . A plate as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the flange is substantially co-planar with the first level of the base area. 
   
   
       24 . A plate as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the flange defines an upwardly-facing concave surface around the central opening, such that in use with a stemmed wine glass having a bowl, said upwardly-facing concave surface receives the external surface of the bowl. 
   
   
       25 . A plate as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each cut-out region is in the form of a window through the side wall, the window having a lower edge substantially at the level of the flange, parallel to the edge of the rim region and side edges extending generally helically towards the rim region from the lower edge. 
   
   
       26 . A plate as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein there are three windows the side edges of which are defined by holder side wall portions communicating with the rim region respectively to each side of the slot and at a location diametrically opposed to the slot. 
   
   
       27 . A plate as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the holder is of generally cylindrical form. 
   
   
       28 . A plate as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the holder defines a receptor for at least one vessel selected from the group consisting of a drinking vessel, a bottle and a can. 
   
   
       29 . A plate as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the external surface of the plate is provided with stacking nibs projecting from below the rim region to define a separation between the upper surface of a rim region of one plate and the lower surface of the rim region of another like plate with which said one plate is stacked. 
   
   
       30 . A plate as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the base area has a lower surface and between the holder and the base area, the lower surface is concavely rounded to accommodate the wrist region of a user's arm when gripping the holder. 
   
   
       31 . A plate as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the rim region is profiled adjacent the holder to permit the retention of eating utensils thereon. 
   
   
       32 . A plate as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the plate is symmetrical about a line extending through the centre of the internal opening of the holder and through the centre of gravity of the plate.